Treatment of Medication-Overuse Headache in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

This systematic review looked at how medication-overuse headache (MOH) is treated in children and adolescents. There are no treatment guidelines for MOH, and most research so far has been in adults. The authors searched five databases up to October 2024 and found 16 eligible studies (1 randomized trial, 6 prospective and 9 retrospective observational studies) with 7,978 participants, whose mean ages ranged from 10 to 14.7 years. All studies took place in outpatient settings. The treatments studied were:

  • stopping the overused acute medication
  • starting a preventive medication
  • patient education
  • physiotherapy
  • psychological therapy
  • motivational interviewing

Most studies tested a combination of these treatments (multimodal therapy) rather than a single one. The studies differed widely in design, diagnostic criteria, treatments and outcomes. No single approach came out ahead, so treatment should be tailored to each patient and their caregivers. More research is needed.

Target Audience

Healthcare Professionals

Learning Objectives

To define medication overuse headache in children and adolescents and understand possible treatment strategies.

Activity Disclosure

No commercial support has been accepted related to the development or publication of this activity.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ABPN-approved Self-Assessment credit(s)
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
Course opens: 
08/29/2025
Course expires: 
08/28/2027
Cost:
$0.00

Faculty disclose no financial relationships. This activity underwent peer review in line with standards of editorial integrity and publication ethics. Conflicts of interest have been identified and resolved in accordance with John Wiley and Sons, Inc.’s Policy on Activity Disclosure and Conflict of Interest.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

John Wiley and Sons, Inc. designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. For information on applicability and acceptance of continuing medical education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board.

The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology has reviewed Behavior and Migraine and has approved this activity as part of a comprehensive Self-Assessment activity, which is mandated by the ABMS as a necessary component of Continuing Certification.

This activity is designed to be completed within 1 hour. To successfully earn credit, participants must access and complete the activity during the valid credit period, which is up to two years from initial publication.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ABPN-approved Self-Assessment credit(s)
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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